New technology in Saskatoon is helping researchers from around the world get closer to curing diseases.

"We can see things in ways you can't see any other way," said Dr. Dean Chapman at the University of Saskatchewan.

The BioMedical Imaging and Therapy (BMIT) facility at the Canadian Light Source is the first of its kind in North America. The tool is stronger than X-rays, MRIs and ultrasounds and could be used to diagnose and treat diseases like prostate cancer and osteoporosis. 

"We can see soft tissue, which is something that X-rays are very bad at. We can see cartilage, that just doesn't happen," Chapman said.

The new technology allows researchers to look at bones on a very small, structural level -- something that's never been done before.

"These tissues are filled with cells, living cells, and understanding where those cells are and being able to see them and what the shapes of the environment they are in, are very important in understanding things like osteoporosis."

Dr. Murray Pettitt is part of a research team that hopes to use canines to study prostate cancer in humans. Dogs are the only other large mammal that commonly develops the disease, he said.

The team wants to use BMIT beamlines on the canine prostates.

"We're also imaging those prostates using the conventional technologies, such as CT and MRI and ultrasound," Pettitt said.

The imaging results will then be compared to see which form offers the earliest detection. Pettitt said they are half way through the pilot study right now and if it proves successful, they will apply for research grants.

The University of Saskatchewan Prostate Research Team received at $26,000 donation earlier this week from Motorcycle Ride for Dad.

Edited by News Talk Radio's Jared Knoll.